Two 14-year-old boys have been arrested in a counter-terror operation amid allegations they were plotting a Columbine style attack on their school.

The teenagers were detained in coordinated raids on their homes in the market town of Northallerton, North Yorkshire and were last night being questioned on suspicion of plotting a massacre.

They were being held on “suspicion of preparing for an act of terrorism” under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006, but it is understood police have not established links to any known terror organisations.

They were arrested on Saturday morning during coordinated raids at their family homes two miles apart and were taken to a police station in West Yorkshire for questioning.